CropVue Technologies and the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release (OKSIR) program have partnered to develop an innovative pest monitoring solution that leverages automation and artificial intelligence in apple and pear orchards. The focus is on codling moth (Cydia pomonella), a destructive insect pest that causes significant fruit damage and economic loss in Canada and worldwide (Sudo, 2022). Currently, the OKSIR program suppresses this pest by releasing sterile moths, but field staff must manually inspect sticky traps to distinguish sterile (non-breeding) moths from wild (fertile) moths—a tedious, costly process. This project will automate and allow remote identification of moths in traps using a network of smart camera traps and AI-driven image analysis, enabling real-time differentiation between sterile and wild catches.
The proposed system integrates rugged IoT-enabled camera traps with a machine learning model trained to recognize subtle visual differences or applied markers on the moths’ bodies. The camera trap captures an image of captured moths, and the AI model classifies classifies each moth as sterile or a wild pest. This automated, data-driven approach will eliminate most manual trap checks, reduce labour costs, and provide more frequent and accurate pest population data to growers and pest control managers. In effect, field personnel will be alerted to problem areas faster, allowing for timely interventions (e.g. targeted additional sterile releases or other controls) and preventing crop damage.
By combining advanced computer vision, entomological techniques, and field robotics, the project supports the adoption of smart farming practices. Anticipated outcomes include a validated AI model for insect classification, a set of functional camera trap prototypes, and a proof-of-concept demonstration in a commercial orchard environment. This will not only improve codling moth management in British Columbia but also set the stage for broader use of automation and AI in pest management across the North American agriculture sector. Ultimately, the technology aims to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability by reducing pesticide use, optimizing pest control efforts, and lowering operational costs for growers. The results will pave the way for commercialization of a new agri-tech product that can benefit farmers, pest control programs, and the public through a more resilient and intelligent food production system.
For more information, please contact Amy Jancewicz, President, CropVue Technologies, at [email protected].
